Travel Diary: Old Town Geneva

February 8th, 2014

When the new year started, I was thinking of new things I can do with my blog, hence the new look. But aside from this change, I wanted to add something new content-wise as well, so I thought of my other passions. What else do I love to do? What other passion of mine can I share? This is how I came up with my travel diaries. Travel has always been a passion of mine, and judging from your reactions to my previous travel posts, it’s one of yours as well. From this day onwards, my travel posts will be a little bit more informative. They won’t just be a set of photos ala photo diaries. Instead, I’ll do my best to let you know what these places are so that hopefully, these posts can serve as your guide when you make your itineraries. I’ve always said, if I weren’t a style blogger, I’d probably be a travel blogger. So here goes! My first attempt at merging style and travel. Let me present to you my travel diary about Geneva’s Old Town.

When I first got Parmigiani Fleurier’s invite to attend their event in Lausanne, I didn’t want to waste the 16++ hours of travel time and just stay in Switzerland for 3 days. I wanted to make the most out of the trip so I searched for nearby cities I can visit. Since I can only stay for less than a week because I had a commitment in Cebu, Geneva was perfect. It’s where I’ll be riding my train to Lausanne too anyway so it was on the way. Plus it isn’t that big so I can easily tour around and see its major attractions.

Because Geneva is located on the banks of Lake Geneva, the city is divided into the Left Bank and the Right Bank. The Left Bank is the oldest part of the city. It’s where the Old Town is situated so most of the tourist spots are there. I chose to stay on this side because this side of town is just more romantic and scenic (that and the fact that Chanel and Celine are on this side of the river too. LOL!). I booked my sister and I at the Swissotel Metropole Hotel (which is also so near Chanel and Celine. Har har!). It has a beautiful view of Lake Geneva and is near all the tourist spots (I repeat, Chanel and Celine).

My sister and I arrived in the city around noon. It was a Sunday so like the rest of Europe, most of the shops were closed. We didn’t want to waste any of our precious time so we went straight to sightseeing. Of course, our first stop was the Old Town. Can you see a little Korean-looking kid making a peace sign, gleefully photobombing this beautiful photo of the Hotel De Ville? That’s my almost 28-year old sister. Yes, she uses Olay too and clearly looks so much younger than me. #ProudERofHerAge

The Hotel De Ville or City Hall was built between the 15th and 18th centuries in the Renaissance style. It houses the cantonal parliament, the city of Geneva’s council and the state chancellery. The first Geneva Convention was signed here in the Alabama Hall.

This paved sloping ramp is for the nobility to climb the floors on horseback. HORSEBACK!

That is Cathédrale Saint-Pierre behind me. My sister and I accidentally found it while walking around the Old Town. I think it’s the most distinctive tourist spot on this side of the city.

Because the Old Town is situated atop a hill, you can see most of the Left Bank from here. That’s my sister getting her tourist mode on and me being all paparazzi slash creepy stalker-ish on her as she takes photos of Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Cathédrale Saint Pierre was built between 1150 and 1230. It was originally a Catholic church but became Protestant in 1536 during the Reformation.

From this side of the Catherdral, it doesn’t look like a church so much. We initially thought it was a government office even!

They say that if you go up its north tower, you’ll see a panoramic view of the Alps and the lakeshore. We weren’t able to go up though because we got there late. Too bad! I imagine the sights would’ve been breathtaking.

Inside the church, you’ll see a lot of beautiful stained glass,

This is the Musée International de la Réforme. I didn’t go in this museum but from what I’ve read, it’s where the Reformation movement is heavily documented.

I was more interested in this museum. I took this photo of my surroundings from the inside of Maison Tavel. Maison Tavel is the oldest private dwelling in Geneva.

These are some of the actual furniture used in this house during the medieval times.

This is how the city of Geneva looked like during medieval times.

I found the faucet (top right photo) the most interesting out of all the little discoveries I made while touring the medieval house. However, it’s the clock that I want to bring home.

What travel diary is complete without food? Our first meal in Geneva was at Brasserie de l’Hotel de Ville which is located, well, right across Hotel de Ville! I don’t know why but for some reason whenever I’m in Europe, I crave for fresh mussels. They’re always so good with fries.

Cheese fondue to cap off our first day in Geneva. Just look at that cheese! This is one of the most famous dishes in Switzerland so obviously, I had to order one. Being a cheese lover myself, it’s practically invented for me! I can’t believe this is my first ever cheese fondue. I’ve been missing out!

And now that I’ve left you salivating, time to wrap up my first travel diary from Switzerland. More coming next!

I always enjoy reading your travel post, Ms Camille! Having this travel diary is awesome!! I love how you write everything in detail.. I love what you’re wearing here.. such a chic traveler! and your sister are cute.. =)

Hehe tourist spots Chanel and Celine, nice one. By the way, your sister is 28? She definitely doesn’t look, I need to try Olay as well (I’m 28 as well)

It’s great of you to include a new chapter in the form of travel diary because you are a great travel blogger too. Is there anything that you cannot do? Very detailed and informative post. I would also like to go to old town not for Chanel though, too expensive for informative xx

When you first posted one of your pictures hre on Instagram I was dyiiiiiiiing to see your blog post mainly because of this super gorgeous outfit! May isa pa ko na super fave, the one na you were wearing a blue ensemble na you were posing with giant chess pieces :D I love everything as always!

You’re definitely an awesome style blogger and travel blogger at the same time. :)
Wish that I can travel to different countries someday. I must start to earn and save more today to fulfill this dream of mine. haha!

May I ask pala Ms. Cams what’s your nationality? Because I’m sure you’re not a pure Filipina.. I’m wondering if you’re a Half-chinese or half-korean.. :D

thank you for sharing your trip to us ate cams :) love the color of your hat!coz you can be easily spotted whenever you get lost hehe :D (I hope I can buy the same color too since H&M will be opening here in the philippines ;)) lovely pictures too photography skills always improves as always :)

Thank you, thank you, Miss Camille! I’m really glad you decided to blog about your travels as well. I am so loving this one. Old Town Geneva looks straight out of a fairytale book! I agree with you about the clock you wanted to bring home because I can totally see its very Cogsworth-in-Beauty-and-the-Beast quality. :-D

This post is so worth the wait. <3 One of your replies to me when you got back from Europe was being excited to post these travel pictures. I was looking forward to the read when I saw this blog entry up.
Each shot is beautifully captured; like a memento of what you want to last. I especially admired the halo reflection of lights on the floor of the Cathédrale Saint Pierre. The chandelier is exquisitely grand, and the stained glass windows you took photos of are truly jaw-dropping.

I'm glad you and your sister got to spend some time in one of the most romantically inspiring cities in Europe. I saw your outfit shot and thought you look like a modern Belle! The texture of your coat totally offsets the print of your scarf. You look well-traveled and worldly!

There are a lot of good websites on the internet but nothing I find compares to all you have put together in one place.You are doing an outstanding job. I am passing your website on to everyone I know.We will always support you.God bless you always cams.

It’s a great thing to see Europe. They definitely have some beautiful scenery and architecture. You should definitely get back there again as there’s so much more to discover in Europe =)
I have the same boots like yours and they’re great don’t you think? You can walk forever in it and yet still feel comfortable by the end of the day =)

Wow!! I enjoy these travel diaries!! I think you can also became a famous travel blogger if you didn’t start as a style blogger. You are so smart! And your sister just looks so young, I can’t believe she’s already 28!

lahat ng height ata napunta na sayo miss camille. Your sister doesnt look like her age because she is petite:) WOOH I WANNA GO THERE <3333 inside of the church looks like St-Joseph in Canada <3 :D love your outfit

Welcome to Switzerland!
I’m not from Geneva but I’m glad to see that you enjoy visiting our country (I’m from Fribourg)… and the fondue! ;-)
You (and your sister, as I read) have made very nice pictures in Geneva.
PS: and of course, I like your look too, especially the boots!

I love cheese too! *tummy rumbles* Cams I love you for making this post. I have to add Geneva to my wanderlust list! I so adore places with this kind of architecture. I don’t know why but the charm of old cities attract me so much. It feels as if there’s so much history written in its walls and they all want to be read and reminisced. As I’ve only graduated uni last year, my savings isn’t enough yet but traveling is something I set my sights on and I have to bring family and peers with me. I hope you make more posts like this. I love them as much as your outfit ones. I wish you’d put in travel tips too like packing, itinerary, how to dress up, etc. :D

Great post, Camille! I’m excited about this new addition to your blog. I think it’s the right time for you to explore other avenues when it comes to blogging and expand the scope of the things that you post. You’ve pretty much mastered the “fashion” and “style” side of blogging in the past few years, so adding your “Travel Diaries” is an awesome choice since it’s obvious that it’s a huge passion of yours (and mine too!). Medjo nanghihinayang nga ako eh. When my dad was still an Ambassador of the Philippines and I lived in different countries (around Europe and Asia), I’m afraid I took it for granted and never really appreciated the places I’ve been to, nor did I bother taking a lot of photos for documentation. Now that my dad is retired and I’m still studying, my travels have become very limited, so even though I would love to blog about my travels at this point in my life, there wouldn’t be much to blog about anymore.

Really? What I would do to experience that! That must’ve been great! Traveling all the time. I’m sure there are some disadvantages too but I can think of a million other advantages to that! Wow! Sayang. Don’t worry. Photos are just photos. As long as you have the memories, that makes up for more than anything you missed out on. :)

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Camille Co

Camille is always a fashion designer, sometimes a model, occasionally a stylist and as of April 2011, officially a blogger. Take a peek into her world and witness her love affair with fashion and a few other loves in between.